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Illinois Public Media

Despite Setbacks, Urbana Sweetcorn Festival Full Speed Ahead

This year’s annual Urbana Sweetcorn Festival kicks off later this week, and the event’s executive director says despite some setbacks, everything is going smoothly.

Cynthia Johnson estimates there will be 27,500 ears of sweet corn available. She said event organizers struggled to find someone to steam the corn, but she says that’s no longer an issue.

“We had a little bit of difficulty finding a new steam engine," Johnson said. "The gentleman that has been providing the steam engine in years past unfortunately passed away right before sweetcorn festival last year. So, we no longer have access to his steam engine, but we have secured a steam engine from a gentleman out of Mendota, and so he will be joining us this year and we’ll be using that.”

Johnson said she is nervous about construction work happening along Race Street in downtown Urbana, where part of the festival takes place. However, she said city engineers have assured her all that work will be done in time.

The Urbana Sweetcorn Festival runs Friday evening until Saturday night, and will include live music and food from area restaurants, family activities, and a car show.